Kimora Lee Simmons Debuts Stylish Pieces With A Hint Of Edge, Opens Up About Diversity In Fashion, & More

KLS captures everything you love about Kimora.

For the presentation of the Fall 2016 collection of KLS, Kimora transformed her NYC design studio into an intimate work of art. “The art on the wall is actually [the collection’s] prints that have been blown up and distorted,” Kimora explained. An appearance from Jay Alexander, coupled with the adorable presence of her 10-month-old son, Wolfe, added the perfect amount of warmth to the sleek and sophisticated setting.

While she appears to have mastered the balancing act of business and motherhood, Kimora says it requires both qualities of dominance and softness to do it all. Which carries through in the clothing she’s created. Inspired by the film The Thomas Crown Affair, the pieces feature classic prints that transcend seasonal trends with edgy hemlines and hints of masculinity.

“I think it’s representing a woman on-the-go, and femininity with an edge of masculinity. There’s a dominance and a softness, because I’m a businesswoman, I’m a mom, I have to wear all those hats,” she said.

The collection has the clothing to please women of all different ages. Leather jeans and, my personal favorite, the beige shearling jacket pictured above, work great with the stylish, younger audience. “Ming Lee wears it, she just turned 16. Aoki Lee wears it, she’s 13. All the way up to, I wear it and I’m like, 28,” she joked.

Other options include a leather t-shirt with embroidery detailing, and the chic jumper rocked with sneakers in the image below.

Most importantly, the clothes do not cater to a specific size or race. After 20-plus years in fashion, Kimora knows the importance of incorporating diversity into her work, and it shows through down to the selection of her models: “I’m from a mixed background. My kids are that way. I have an African son and a German son. So, I think it’s always important to show beauty in all sizes and all colors. The world gets that. My family is like the united colors of Kimora. We don’t differentiate.”

KLS strikes the perfect balance between high-quality clothing and an accessible pricepoint. In addition to the presentation, I also viewed the new size of the Miyoki bag, made from pony-skin and named after her two daughters. Another example that the famous family we love at Global Grind is never far from her mind. Nor is the Kimora we were first introduced to on the runway.

KLS captures everything you love about Kimora, from her personal style down to her one-of-a-kind personality, while also tapping into the evolution we’ve watched her grow through, from the creative director of Baby Phat until now. For more from KLS Fall 2016, check out the images below.